Local Government Area, LGA, is the third tier of Government. It is provided for administrative convenience in other to bring governance close to the grassroots. Local Government serves as the contact between the populace or the citizenry at the grassroot and the government at the state as well as the federal government.
Local Government creation is a provision of the country’s constitution, as provided in section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended. “The system of local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government, of every state shall subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”.
As stated in the opening paragraph of this episode, the third tier of government is provided by the Nigerian law or Constitution to enhance governance or administration as to enable the citizenry participate, contribute and appraise the working of the government as mandated by the people.
Regrettably, the system which came into existence through an act of the National Assembly in obedience to the constitution is yet to deliver its essence to the people for no just course. It is no doubt, the people on the emergence of the third tier system were seen to be excited since the government is being made or brought home to its citizens.
Unarguably, the reverse is the case in situation where almost all elected Chairmen for 3 years tenure inclusive of appointed caretaker committee chairmen even in the present administration focuses on ill ways to siphoning council’s funds meant for projects to their private accounts.
Without apology, some of the Chairmen either elected or appointed throughout their tenure are ignorant of the functions of the local government system, they have not read it not to mention practicalizing it since their targets are to divert the monies for unprofitable ventures by enriching themselves other than the respective LGA’s.
In 100 days as executive governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has demonstrated what qualified him as the best chairman and chairman of ALGON from 1999 to 2007, when he practically tourched all the sectors with the little available resources.
Barr. Wike, may not be the best administrator but he has showcased his love for the state as he did when he was the chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA.
What then would one say, that some of the care-taker chairmen under a performing governor who eventually was a chairman are below expectations?
Now, that the governor has shown his prowess and will in delivering dividends of democracy, it is expected that chairmen should within these 3 or 6 months as the case may be prove to the people their capability in handling public funds or why the people should entrust to them further responsibilities if at all.
It is regrettably indeed, to notice that some chairmen in the present administration of councils in Rivers State have not done anything. These set of chairmen have not signed even the routine certificate of origin or identification letter of their councils since inception on July, 9th, 2015.
So bad it is, that some of them lacks managerial ability hence do not know how to go about the activities or their local governments. Some of them branded or make the media their adversaries thereby making things difficult for their councils.
Issues Abattoir views with dismay that some of these CTC Chairmen have not considered the provisions of the fourth schedule and section 7 of the 1999 Constitution “functions of a Local Government Councils”, hence have not venture into any of within these 2 months in office.
While Issues Abattoir applauds those who strive to do the needful, its also her opinion that those chairmen are ignorant of their responsibilities and functions to the grassroots should be denied 2 term of another 3 months.
Apart from the fact of reaching or trying others in respect to appointment, their sins should be revealed to them to serve as deterrent to others who may seem dancing like them.
The essence of local government administration as contained in section 7 and its functions as spelt out in the fourth schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended must be adhere to without hesitation.
If within 100 days the governor of the state was able to perform with the available little resources, then the CTC Chairmen would have also consider the people other than their private enrichment.
The time to develop the LGA’s is now, therefore, men with integrity should be given the opportunity to lead the grassroots in the next 3 months.
With James Mgboineme
jamesthenewswriter@gmail.com.
